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Resources Committee Passes Moran Tribal Recognition Bill

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In this press release, Congressman Jim Moran discusses some of the history of tribal-government relations, the significance of federal tribal recognition, and the status of federal recognition of six Virginia tribes. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would recognize the Chickahominy Tribe, Chickahominy Indian Tribe Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi, the Rappahannock Tribe, the Monacan Tribe, and the Nansemond Tribe. However, the bill failed to pass the Senate in 2007.

Virginia's Indian tribes continue to seek federal tribal recognition. The House of Representatives passed the bill again in June 2009. The Senate is considering the bill.

What is some of the 20th-century history of US-Indian relations in Virginia? What is the nature of the relationship between the federal government and Virginia's Indian tribes today?

Source: Office of Congressman Jim Moran, "Resources Committee Passes Moran Tribal Recognition Bill Sovereignty Momentum Builds as Jamestown Anniversary Approaches," 25 April 2007, Congressman Jim Moran's Website (accessed December 4, 2008).